Is there pressure on Ukrainian offensive pace by Western Allies?
Andriy Yermak, the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine (Photo: RBC-Ukraine, Vitalii Nosach)
Western countries are not pressuring Ukraine due to the pace of progress by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). On the contrary, they demonstrate a willingness to continue support, stated Andriy Yermak, the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, during a meeting with journalists.
Western countries are not pressuring Ukraine due to the pace of progress by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. On the contrary, they demonstrate a willingness to continue support, stated Andriy Yermak, the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, during a meeting with journalists.
He acknowledged that Ukraine's offensive is not progressing as quickly as desired. However, Ukraine's allies, including at the NATO summit, did not push Ukraine to speed up but asked how they could further assist.
"If we see something is not going well, we will honestly speak about it to society. We will not embellish anything," the Head of the Office of the President emphasized.
Yermak also commented on the remarks of Czech President Petr Pavel, who stated that Ukraine's window of opportunity could close by the end of the year and that the achievements of the Armed Forces on the frontlines would serve as a starting point for negotiations. The Head of the Office of the President responded that he did not share such an assessment.
"We have not heard such suggestions from our partners regarding a specific window of opportunity or the need to accomplish something within certain terms. We alone can decide where to place certain windows or doors," said Yermak.
The pace of the counteroffensive
At the end of June, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that the pace of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' counteroffensive was not as desired. However, he noted that Ukrainian troops would continue advancing on the frontlines using the best approach.
The Pentagon also acknowledged that the pace of the counteroffensive did not meet what the United States had hoped for. However, they added that the conditions under which Ukrainians are fighting are very challenging, and our soldiers continue to make an impact.
The counteroffensive has been ongoing since the beginning of summer. Ukrainian forces have liberated settlements in the country's southeastern part and achieved successes near Bakhmut.
